Bayer Leverkusen vs Atlético Madrid

Bayer Leverkusen Team News and Preview

Roger Schmidt’s Bayer Leverkusen host Champions League specialists Atlético Madrid on Tuesday at the BayArena. Leverkusen progressed through the group stage undefeated this season but had only one win at home to show for their impressive record.

Die Werkself’s 2016/17 campaign has been dotted with inconsistency, having won and lost in the league in equal measure. They are 20 points off the Bundesliga summit, but deeper progression in Europe will somewhat restore the feel-good factor at the club.

Javier Hernández has hit form of late, scoring four goals in Leverkusen’s last two games. The young and imposing centre-back Jonathan Tah will miss out through injury, while Hakan Calhanoglu, who had a goal and an assist in the group stage, is banned for the rest of this season. Captain Lars Bender is also an injury concern, having come off early in Leverkusen’s weekend Bundesliga game.

Predicted Bayer Leverkusen Starting Lineup (4-5-1):

Atletico Madrid Team News and Preview

Similar to Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid haven’t quite translated their Champions League form into La Liga. Los Colchoneros won a tough group that included Bayern Munich, but their recent form has been hit and miss. They have won only two of their last seven away matches, drawing five.

The last time the two sides met in the Champions League was in 2015’s round of 16. The Spaniards, who have twice been runners-up in the competition’s last three editions, won on penalties on that occasion after drawing 1-1 on aggregate after two legs.

The big news for Simeone is the return of goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who hasn’t played since December owing to a dislocated shoulder. However, defensive lynchpins Diego Godín and Juanfran are out injured, so are Augusto Fernandez and Tiago.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid Prediction

There have been under 2.5 goals in six of Atlético’s last seven Champions League games, and keeping in mind their expertise in navigating tricky European fixtures, a score draw should send Simeone and his men home happy.

Leverkusen haven’t been at their attacking best this season, and should Atlético keep a tight lid on Hernández, scoring could be a problem for Schmidt’s side. That having been said, a 1-1 draw that favours the away side is possible:

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